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  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Hoskins Removes 18,637 Deceased Voters from Rolls in First 60 Days of New Administration

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    For Immediate Release:   March 14, 2025

               

    Secretary Hoskins Removes 18,637 Deceased Voters from Rolls in First 60 Days of New Administration

     

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Just 60 days into his tenure, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, has taken decisive action to strengthen election integrity by removing 18,637 deceased voters from the state’s voter rolls. This swift and thorough cleanup—achieved in partnership with local election authorities—underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring accurate, transparent, and secure elections.

     

    “In Missouri, we are taking action—not just making promises—when it comes to election integrity,” said Secretary Hoskins. “By working hand-in-hand with local election officials, we have removed outdated registrations, strengthening confidence in our elections and making sure every vote cast is legitimate.”

     

    Real Work, Real Results: 18,637 Removals in First 60 Days

    From day one, the Secretary Hoskins’ office prioritized legally required voter roll maintenance, working closely with local election authorities (LEAs) and boards of elections (BOEs) to identify and remove ineligible registrations.

    • In the first 45 days, collaboration with LEAs led to the removal of 12,792 deceased voters from Missouri’s voter rolls.
    • By day 60, that number had climbed to 18,637—a testament to the administration’s efficiency and dedication to election security.

    These efforts were carried out accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with state and federal election laws.

     

    Strengthening Trust in Missouri’s Elections

    This comprehensive voter roll cleanup is part of a broader initiative to protect the integrity of Missouri’s elections. In addition to removing deceased voters, the Secretary of State’s office worked with local officials to ensure that inactive, duplicate, and ineligible registrations were properly addressed, in line with federal and state law.

     

    By proactively maintaining voter rolls, Missouri is reinforcing public confidence in its elections, ensuring that every valid vote counts and that election processes remain fair, transparent, and secure.

     

    “This is a team effort,” added Secretary Hoskins. “Local election officials across Missouri deserve credit for their diligence and partnership in making sure our voter rolls remain up to date.”

     

    A Commitment to Continued Action

    In his first 60 days as Missouri’s Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins has focused on election integrity, business advocacy, public engagement, and content oversight. All administration news is available online at sos.mo.gov/news.

     

    In addition to his administration’s leadership on voter roll clean up compliance, Secretary Hoskins has led efforts against the Corporate Transparency Act, supported public education initiatives like the “Don’t Fall for the Call” fraud awareness campaign, and took a firm stance on digital content oversight by temporarily suspending funding to OverDrive over concerns about inappropriate material, pending a policy review to placate parental concerns involving taxpayer-subsidized content available to K-12 students. 

     

    Additionally, Hoskins prioritized transparency in elections, hosting Missouri’s first public voting equipment demonstration and advocating for SAVE Act reforms to enhance voter verification. These early actions reflect his commitment to efficient governance, election security, and public trust.

     

    The Hoskins administration remains committed to ongoing election integrity efforts, including additional voter list maintenance, public transparency initiatives, and continued collaboration with local election authorities.

     

    A report on the first 60 days of action, with a breakdown of voter roll clean up compliance is attached.

     

     

    About Secretary of State Denny Hoskins

    Denny Hoskins, CPA, was elected Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State in November 2024. With a strong background in business and public service, he is committed to improving government efficiency, transparency, and supporting Missouri families.

     

    For more information, please contact: Rachael Dunn, Director of Communications, via email at [email protected].

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Diversified Energy Completes Maverick Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Further to the announcements on January 27, 2025 and February 20, 2025, Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC; NYSE: DEC) (“Diversified” or the “Company”), an independent energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transportation, marketing and well retirement, today announces the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Maverick Natural Resources (the “Acquisition”).

    Issue of shares

    In connection with the Acquisition and following the overwhelming approving by the shareholders of the Company at the general meeting on March 10, 2025, the Company has allotted and issued 21,194,213 new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (the “Consideration Shares”). The Consideration Shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will rank pari passu in all respects with Diversified’s existing ordinary shares of £0.20 nominal value each.

    Applications have been made to (i) the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) for admission of the Consideration Shares to listing on the equity shares (commercial companies) category of the Official List; and (ii) London Stock Exchange plc for admission of the Consideration Shares to trading on its main market for listed securities (together, “Admission“). It is expected that Admission will occur at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 17 March 2025.

    Governance and Leadership

    Following the closing of the Acquisition, Rick Gideon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maverick Natural Resources will become the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Company effective March 18th, 2025.

    Other than as set out above, there has been no material change affecting any matter relating to the Acquisition contained in the announcements released by Diversified on January 27, 2025 and February 20, 2025.

    Total voting rights

    For the purposes of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the total number of ordinary shares of £0.20 each in the capital of the Company in issue as at March 14, 2025 is 80,990,155 with each ordinary share carrying the right to one vote. There are no ordinary shares held in treasury and therefore the total number of voting rights as at in the Company as at March 14, 2025 is 80,990,155.

    The above figure may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

    Citi served as financial and transaction advisor to Diversified. KeyBanc Capital Markets, Truist and Stifel served as additional advisors to Diversified. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Latham & Watkins (London) LLP served as legal advisor to Diversified on the Acquisition. Jefferies Securities served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to Maverick and EIG.

    For further information, please contact:

    Diversified Energy Company PLC +1 973 856 2757
    Doug Kris dkris@dgoc.com
    Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications  
       
    FTI Consulting dec@fticonsulting.com
    U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations  
       

    About Diversified
    Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our unique differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may relate to factors that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or estimate precisely, including the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the risk factors described in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K furnished with the SEC on January 27, 2025. Forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Cardiac valve repair devices market to see significant growth in Middle East and Africa, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Cardiac valve repair devices market to see significant growth in Middle East and Africa, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    Increased investments in healthcare infrastructure and advancements in medical research facilities are fostering the growth of cardiac valve repair devices in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Additionally, the region’s aging population, improved life expectancy, and greater awareness among both patients and physicians about available treatment options contribute to the rising demand for those devices. Against this backdrop, the MEA cardiac valve repair devices market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    According to GlobalData’s latest models, mitral valve annuloplasty devices will see the strongest growth in the region, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 8% from 2024 to 2034.

    Thomas Fleming, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Valve repair is generally preferred over replacement for eligible patients due to its association with lower short-term and long-term mortality and morbidity rates. The growing prevalence of mitral valve regurgitation and valvular stenosis further supports the demand for repair devices. Additionally, the cost of valve repair devices and procedures is lower compared to alternative treatments, making them a viable option for healthcare providers and patients.”

    Fleming continues, “However, challenges exist with the popularity of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices. The increased adoption and availability of these devices could lead to disruptions.”

    Currently, Medtronic holds the highest market share in the MEA region for cardiac valve repair devices, followed by Edwards Lifesciences. As the market evolves, continued investments in research and innovation will be crucial in shaping the competitive landscape in the MEA.

    Fleming concludes: “South Africa mirrors the broader regional trends, standing among the highest healthcare investors in Africa. As the country’s aging population continues to grow, it is expected to see an increasing adoption of valve repair treatments.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: India automotive market to see positive growth over next 12 months, reveals GlobalData survey

    Source: GlobalData

    India automotive market to see positive growth over next 12 months, reveals GlobalData survey

    Posted in Automotive

    The automotive sector in India is poised for positive growth over the next year, driven by favourable government policies such as the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in India) II scheme, which has been in effect since April 2019 and encourages states to provide both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to enhance the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), according to a recent survey* conducted by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Madhuchhanda Palit, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “While the overall growth of the automotive sector is promising, regional dynamics greatly influence the trajectory of the market. Factors such as advancements in the service sector, the availability of job opportunities, industrialization, and state government initiatives play pivotal roles in shaping the growth of the sector across different regions. Consequently, the growth prospects of the Indian automotive industry present a mixed outlook at the state level, warranting careful consideration of localized factors and strategies for businesses operating in this sector.”

    A survey conducted across 31 major cities reveals that 24.7% are anticipated to experience highly positive growth, while 49.5% are expected to see moderate growth. Cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune are among those projected to thrive. Conversely, 7.5% of cities are expected to show flat growth, and 9.7% and 15.5% are forecasted to experience moderately declining and pessimistic growth, respectively, with Chandigarh being a notable example. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of local market dynamics is crucial for automotive companies to navigate these divergent growth scenarios effectively.

    Palit adds: “In Bangalore, a mixed growth outlook has been observed across different areas. While the city overall shows positive growth prospects, challenges such as traffic congestion and the prevalence of ride-sharing services like Uber and Ola may deter consumers from pursuing car ownership, thereby impacting market demand. As automotive companies plan their strategies for the Bangalore market, they need to carefully consider these factors and innovate to ensure sustained market growth.

    Cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai are particularly well-positioned for automotive growth, thanks to robust developments in the service sector and job creation. Hyderabad has witnessed a surge in its job market, bolstered by government initiatives that promote start-ups and entrepreneurship. The government’s focus on enhancing the IT and ITES sectors has significantly contributed to job growth, while ongoing infrastructure improvements in roads, transportation, and power supply have made the city increasingly attractive for businesses and job seekers alike. This influx of workforce has, in turn, stimulated demand in the automotive market.”

    Palit concludes: “The Indian automotive market is set for a positive trajectory over the next 12 months, driven by supportive government policies and regional economic developments. While certain cities exhibit strong growth potential, others face challenges that may hinder their progress. Stakeholders in the automotive sector should remain vigilant and adaptable to these dynamics to capitalize on emerging opportunities in this evolving landscape. By leveraging insights from these trends, automotive players can better position themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing market environment.”

    *Survey was conducted between 1 May 2024 – 17 Feb 2025 with a total of 2,248 participants

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: China ophthalmic lasers market to grow at 4% CAGR through 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    China ophthalmic lasers market to grow at 4% CAGR through 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    The ophthalmic laser market in China is set for substantial growth, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4% through 2033. This growth is attributed to technological advancements in femtosecond and excimer lasers for refractive surgery, as well as a rising prevalence of eye diseases like myopia, reveals GlobalData, a leading data, and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s report, “Ophthalmic Lasers Market Size by Segments, Share, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Installed Base and Forecast to 2036,” reveals that in 2024, China accounted for around 25% of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, attributable to its swiftly expanding population affected by eye diseases such as myopia and substantial investments in advanced technology.

    The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has recently approved the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE Pro software from ZEISS, featuring the femtosecond laser technology, that generates lenticule in under 10 seconds with an accelerated laser pulse repetition rate of 2 MHz. This advanced technology promises faster procedures, potentially leading to reduced recovery times and improved visual outcomes compared to traditional refractive surgery.

    Shamreen Parween, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Traditional ophthalmic laser procedures have certain limitations, including a higher risk of complications, longer recovery times, and less predictable results. However, the advent of advanced laser techniques, coupled with hospital modernization, and increased R&D investment, is contributing to the increased accessibility and demand for advanced ophthalmic care.”

    The ZEISS VISUMAX 800 further offers a smart, computer-assisted cyclotorsion and centration aid, providing enhanced precision and control during the procedures. Utilizing advanced technology, and shorter treatment durations, this system represents a significant leap forward in ophthalmic laser surgery.

    Parween concludes: “The future of laser-based refractive surgery appears promising due to the advancements in personalized treatments, minimally invasive procedures, artificial intelligence integration, and enhanced accessibility. These developments are poised to improve precision, safety, and patient outcomes on a global scale. Consequently, this sector may garner increased investment from both the domestic and international stakeholders.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Innovation centre zoning upheld

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Town Planning Board (TPB) today upheld its decision of rezoning the 4.72-hectare site for proposed Global Innovation Centre by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in Pok Fu Lam from “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Global Innovation Centre” to “Undetermined” in the interim.

    The TPB reached the decision at today’s meeting after thoroughly considering 1,861 further representations (FRs), including 30 with further responses to departmental comments as well as the views and responses of the Planning Department, bureaus and departments.

    The board members noted that the grounds and views in the opposing FRs were mainly related to designation of “Undetermined” zoning; suitability of the site for the centre; and procedural issues. They also took note that most issues were similar to those raised in the representations and were duly deliberated by the board at the representation stage. 

    The TPB considered it prudent to maintain the “Undetermined” zoning for the site at this stage, which would allow time for HKU to review the development proposal for the centre, conduct technical assessments including potential traffic impacts during construction and operational stages, further consult the community and submit a revised proposal for the Government and TPB’s consideration within a reasonable time.

    Any proposed development of the site would be effected through rezoning in accordance with section 5 of the Town Planning Ordinance, whereby the public will have the opportunity to submit representations and the board would conduct hearings to deal with the representations.

    TBP members agreed that HKU should be invited to report on the latest developments of the project within three months, which should include its decision on site selection with detailed justifications, a development timeline for the project as well as an update on engagement with stakeholders.

    They also reaffirmed the importance of constructive engagement with stakeholders and emphasised their expectation that HKU should enhance its engagement with the community.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Picturing the Pandemic

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A new exhibit of words, images, and audio collected from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic now on display at Homer Babbidge Library offers a rare glimpse at how people captured history even as it was being made.

    Picturing the Pandemic, created by the Pandemic Journaling Project (PJP) and Seeing Truth: Art, Science, Museums, and Making Knowledge, opened at UConn Storrs on Thursday, Mar. 6.  

    Anthropologists Sarah Willen (UConn) and Katherine Mason (Brown University) started the PJP five years ago to collect people’s reflections on how the pandemic was affecting their lives as it happened.

    “We cared about giving people a space to reflect and we cared about documenting, chronicling, and preserving people’s real-time record of their experiences during a time that none of us understood,” said Willen, a professor of anthropology at UConn and co-director the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights at the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute.

    From May 2020 to May 2022, the PJP collected weekly journal entries that allowed people to chronicle the countless ways the pandemic and its attendant disruptions manifested in their lives. In its first wave, the project collected nearly 27,000 entries from 1,800 people around the world. 

    Sarah Willen, co- creator of the Pandemic Journaling Project, describes the new exhibit at Homer Babbidge Library (Danielle Faipler / UConn Photo)

    The goal was to create an archive that would exist into the future so people could better understand how the pandemic was experienced by people living through it. 

    “We wanted to make an archive that would last and that would be useful to other people in the future, and we made a promise that people would be able to keep everything that they contributed,” said Willen. 

    The exhibit at Babbidge Library consists of panels featuring photographs and excerpts from journal submissions, highlighting a key component of the project: the variety of ways participants were able to express themselves and document their lives.  

    “We wanted ‘journaling’ to be defined as broadly as possible. People could write, they could upload audio journal entries, or they could upload photographs,” said Willen. 

    At the opening ceremony, Willen and other members of the UConn community who supported the development of the project spoke about its growth since the start of the pandemic. 

    Willen thanked the University and other sponsors for supporting the project, including the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, the Humanities Institute, and the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP). 

    “Documents, diaries, letters, drawings and memoirs created by those who participated in or witnessed events of the past tell us something that even the best written article or book may not convey,” said Anne Langley, Dean of UConn Library. 

    “Its global dimension is really critical; The multiple languages which were used, the fact that you could audio journal or video journal,” said Kathryn Libal, professor of social work and human rights and director of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute. “It opens up a new way for us to think about collective archiving in the present for future commemoration and scholarly works.”

    Kathryn Libal, director of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, speaks at the opening of the new Pandemic Journaling Project exhibit at Homer Babbidge library (Danielle Faipler / UConn Photo)

    The exhibition was curated by Willen, Mason, and Alexis Boylan, professor of art and art history at UConn, along with PJP postdoctoral fellow Heather Wurtz and a large team of students and curation partners.

    “The images will not let us forget. They remind us of feelings that we had that we maybe put away, of ideas of things and people that we wanted to be but maybe did not work out in that moment, but that we still remember and hold on to,” said Boylan.  

    With the exhibit located in the middle of a heavily visited area at UConn, many students, faculty, staff, and visitors will have a chance to reflect on their lives in the five years since the pandemic. 

    Globally, as well as in the United States, people are repressing a lot about the impact the pandemic had, and continues to have, on our lives, said Willen. By offering visitors a chance to look back on this time, the exhibition invites people to consider how their own lives, and the broader world, have changed. 

    Before coming to Storrs, the exhibition made earlier stops in Hartford, Providence, Heidelberg (Germany), Mexico City and Toronto. For this new iteration, the curators added a new center panel that recognizes the importance of science and of having an infrastructure for knowledge building and social interaction.  

    “If we pull apart the components of that infrastructure, a lot of things fall apart,” said Willen. “Our capacity to do science falls apart. Our capacity to prepare people for their careers falls apart. Our capacity to provide public spaces in which we can come together and interact with each other – like libraries and museums – falls apart.”

    “We’re hoping that this will be a chance for people to see the structures we’ve built in our society to support, connect with, and nurture each other, and to help each other understand who we are in the world, will only exist if we protect them,” said Willen. 

    Willen especially urges student visitors to the exhibit to think deeply about how their majors, fields, and research can help us collectively confront the problems that society is facing.  

    “Let’s not lose sight of those values, of how we can put our tools to work to grapple with real-life problems using data and our capacities for analysis and reflection,” said Willen. 

    The Pandemic Journaling Project and the Picturing the Pandemic exhibition were only possible because UConn believed in them, said Willen. 

    “We brought our skills to the table, and our students brought theirs, and many different institutes and departments at the university said, yes, this is worthwhile, and they gave us the resources to start collecting people’s narratives and experiences,” said Willen. “Bringing the exhibit to Babbidge Library is our thank you note to UConn.” 

     

    Picturing the Pandemic: Images from the Pandemic Journaling Project will be on display in the entryway to the Homer Babbidge Library from March 5 to March 20.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BYDFi Announces Contract Copy Trading Leader Program — Up to 30% Profit Share for Top Traders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BYDFi, a leading global crypto platform, continues to enhance its Contract copy trading feature to meet the diverse needs of users worldwide. The platform has now launched its Copy Trading Leader Participation Program, where successful traders can create “Initiate Trade” and share them with others, earning up to 30% in revenue sharing. Traders can also access multiple rewards, including traffic support and exclusive benefits, helping them expand their influence.

    Beyond profit sharing, the trader program is a win-win collaboration

    BYDFi offers a 30% profit share as its top-tier partnership for high-quality traders, KOLs, and other professionals worldwide, significantly surpassing the industry average. This is not just about profit distribution but reflects BYDFi’s strategic vision to build a win-win ecosystem for cryptocurrency trading.

    For traders, BYDFi systematically eliminates traditional pain points, making the platform more efficient and rewarding.

    Problems Other Platforms’ Status BYDFi’s Solution
    Profit-sharing Ratio Average 10% – 20%, Up to 30%, industry-leading standards
    Capital Withdrawal Weekly payouts, withdrawal issues Daily auto-calculation, instant withdrawal
    Support for Leaders No exclusive entry, lacks management tools One-on-one guidance + Data backend + Sales materials fully provided
    User Retention Issues The process is complicated, leading to user drop-off One-click sync + auto updates + system tracking
    Growth Challenges Limited influence, hard to expand Official certification, social media support, external reward mechanism
     

    This means that BYDFi aims to grow together with traders, rather than engaging in one-time, fragmented collaborations.

    For future traders, what can BYDFi offer?

    Value Content
    Sustainable Profit Up to 30% profit share, each trade brings consistent revenue, growing assets
    Brand Building Official certification of Leaders, social media support, industry leadership
    Traffic Growth Support Focused promotion of quality traders to boost personal influence
    Tool Support Professional tools and copy trading systems, transparent revenue tracking
     

    BYDFi traders are not just passively “bringing users to the platform” but are truly entering the upper tiers of the trading industry, gaining control over their own income growth.

    An era for top traders has begun.

    BYDFi co-founder Michael stated:

    “Collaborations between top traders, KOLs, and platform features are becoming a key driving force in boosting market activity and increasing user trading. The BYDFi trader recruitment program is designed to push this group to the core of the industry, allowing them to earn the rewards, influence, and value they truly deserve.”

    How to join the BYDFi trader recruitment program?

    • Visit the BYDFi official website and access the copy trading feature page.
    • Fill out and submit the application form. The platform will review the trader’s information.
    • Once approved, you will receive a unique trader link to start sharing trading signals.
    • View real-time copy trading data and earn profit shares from each trade.

    Here is a detailed operation guide. If you have any questions, you can contact customer support.

    About BYDFi

    Founded in 2020, BYDFi is a Forbes-certified global top 10 crypto exchange, trusted by over 1,000,000 users worldwide. The upcoming 5th Anniversary Celebration invites global users to join in and receive exclusive valuable rewards. BYDFi is committed to providing users with a world-class crypto trading experience. BUILD Your Dream Finance.

    Official website: https://www.bydfi.com

    Online customer service：CS@bydfi.com

    Business cooperation: BD@bydfi.com

    Media contact: media@bydfi.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Innovator ETFs® Launches the Innovator Equity Premium Income – Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovator Capital Management, LLC (Innovator), pioneer and provider of the first and largest lineup of Defined Outcome ETFs™, today announced the launch of the Innovator Equity Premium Income – Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT).

    The majority of today’s option-income ETFs are covered call strategies that primarily seek to sell volatility to generate income. SPUT differentiates itself by selling puts instead of calls, which typically generates higher premiums than comparable call options and doesn’t cap the upside of the portfolio’s equity allocation. With the potential to generate both income and growth, SPUT is positioned to be a compelling alternative or complement to derivative income strategies.

    “We regularly hear from clients who are looking for new ways to generate income in their portfolios, especially after the disappointing bond returns of recent years,” said Graham Day, CIO at Innovator ETFs. “While the income from put-writing is compelling, we think the potentially low correlation to the bond market is another feature that will have strong appeal to investors.”

    Rather than selling puts at the same strike price each day, the strategy dynamically adjusts the strike to account for changes in market conditions and to maintain a relatively low probability of the position incurring a loss.

    The strategy underpinning SPUT has predominantly been available only to institutional and high-net-worth investors. Innovator is now making it more widely available through the efficiency and of the ETF wrapper.

    In addition to option premium, Innovator expects the fund to also generate income from stock dividends and U.S. T-Bills, to be distributed to shareholders on a monthly basis.

    About Innovator Capital Management, LLC

    Innovator was established in 2017 by Bruce Bond and John Southard, founders of the PowerShares ETF lineup that has grown to be the fourth largest in the world. The listing of three Innovator Buffer ETFs™ in August 2018 marked the launch of the world’s first Defined Outcome ETFs™. Innovator is dedicated to providing ETFs with built-in risk management that offer investors a high level of predictability around their investment outcomes. Today, with more than 140 ETFs and $23 billion in AUM, Innovator is the industry’s leading provider of Defined Outcome ETFs™.

    Media Contact
    Frank Taylor / Stephanie Dressler
    innovator@dlpr.com
    (646) 808-3647

    The Fund seeks to provide current income while providing the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund’s income is expected to be received primarily from its purchases of Equity-Linked Notes (ELNs) that implement a put-write option strategy. The ELNs provide the Fund with monthly distributions comprised of premiums generated from selling single-day expiration, out of the money put option contracts on the S&P 500 Price Return Index (SPX) that provides exposure to approximately 100% of the Fund’s assets. The Fund also expects to receive income generated by its investments in U.S. Treasuries and dividends, if any, from its investments equity securities primarily comprising components of the Solactive GBS United States 500 Index (U.S. Equity Index). The Fund’s investments in equity securities also seek to provide the potential for capital appreciation.

    The Fund will also be subject to the downside performance of the U.S. Equity Index and SPX through its respective holdings in equity securities and ELNs. The Fund’s monthly income payments to investors may not be sufficient to offset any such losses on a total return basis. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in its objective to provide current income while maintaining the potential for capital appreciation.

    Equity-Linked Notes Risk. Investing in ELNs may be more costly to the Fund than if the Fund had invested in the underlying instruments directly. Investments in ELNs often have risks similar to the underlying instruments, which include market risk. In addition, since ELNs are in note form, ELNs are subject to risks of debt securities, such as credit and counterparty risk, including the risk that issuers and/or counterparties will fail to make payments when due or default completely. Should the prices of the underlying instruments move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of an investment in an ELN, and may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the Fund’s entire principal investment. However, the Fund’s exposure to losses in its investments in the ELNs is limited to its principal investment in such ELNs. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. A lack of liquidity may also cause the value of the ELN to decline. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities.

    Put-Write Risk. Put option contracts may be subject to volatile swings in price influenced by the underlying reference asset. Although the Fund receives premiums on the put option contracts written by the ELN, the losses experienced by the Fund if the level of SPX falls below the strike price may outweigh Fund gains from the receipt of the option premiums. With respect to the Fund’s investment in ELNs, the Fund’s returns are limited to the amount of option premiums it receives. Additionally, market conditions may negatively impact the amount of premiums received from selling put-write option contracts or impact the selected strike price of the option contracts, subjecting the Fund to more risk of loss.

    Put-Write Index. The ELNs will follow the Put-Write Index. The Put-Write Index sells one-day maturity put option contracts on SPX on a daily basis that generally seeks to provide income through premiums received. The Put-Write Index subjects the ELNs, and therefore the Fund, to the risk of loss associated with price decreases of SPX below the strike price. If the Put- Write Index experiences any losses based off the price movements of SPX, as a result of the 100% notional value utilized by the Put-Write Index, the losses incurred by the ELNs the Fund invests in will be greater than those experienced by SPX.

    While the Put-Write Index seeks to minimize the risk associated with the written put option contracts, the Put-Write Index and ELNs subject the Fund to risk of loss, including the risk that the Fund may lose the entirety of its principal amount invested in an ELN.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Innovator ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information, and it may be obtained at innovatoretfs.com. Read it carefully before investing.

    The following marks: Accelerated ETFs®, Accelerated Plus ETF®, Accelerated Return ETFs®, Barrier ETF™, Buffer ETF™, Defined Income ETF™, Defined Outcome Bond ETF®, Defined Outcome ETFs™, Defined Protection ETF™, Define Your Future®, Enhanced ETF™, Floor ETF®, Innovator ETFs®, Leading the Defined Outcome ETF Revolution™, Managed Buffer ETFs®, Managed Outcome ETFs®, Stacker ETF™, Step-Up™, Step-Up ETFs®, Target Protection ETF™, 100% Buffer ETFs™ and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs, and slogans are the trademarks of Innovator, its affiliates or licensors. Use of these terms is strictly prohibited without proper written authorization.

    Copyright © 2025 Innovator Capital Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction to Aktia Bank Plc’s Annual Review 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Stock Exchange Release
    14 March 2025 at 2.45 p.m.

    Correction to Aktia Bank Plc’s Annual Review 2024

    Aktia Bank Plc’s Annual Review 2024, published on 13 March 2025 as part of Aktia’s Annual Report 2024, contains incorrect information about the launch of some funds in 2024. On page 15, which describes the Asset Management business area, the first paragraph under the subheading ‘We continued our determined efforts to develop our award-winning fund selection’ has been corrected.

    Below the corrected paragraph in full.

    In 2024, we moved Aktia Emerging Market Corporate Bond+ under the Article 8 classification and prepared for launching a dark green fund in accordance with Article 9, which, in its investment process, uses sustainability criteria and the megatrends that support these criteria. We clarified our short-term fixed income fund offering by merging the funds Aktia Stable Yield and Aktia Short-Term Corporate Bond+, and focused on launching a European equity fund, which invests in European small and medium-sized enterprises. For our institutional and Private Banking customers, we launched the Aktia Velkarahastot II fund in cooperation with Oaktree Capital Management. The fund invests in private equity investment funds investing in unlisted opportunistic debt. During the year, we also issued four structured products.

    The corrected Annual Review is attached to this release.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315, ir (at) aktia.fi

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 31 December 2024 amounted to EUR 14.0 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 11.9 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Rumble Unveils Rumble Live: A Linear Live Streaming Lineup

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONGBOAT KEY, FL, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM), the video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, today unveiled Rumble Live, a linear livestreaming lineup of dynamic creator content that will take viewers through the entire day without having to visit any other place for their news, commentary, and entertainment. Rumble is reimagining the video platform experience by offering a format in which shows use the Rumble Raiding technology to follow one another and carry audiences seamlessly into the next show. Each show will also appear on the creators’ individual Rumble channels.

    In addition to the Rumble Live lineup, many creators including Steven Crowder, will voluntarily cut off their YouTube livestreams on March 24th and exclusively stream on Rumble.

    The daytime lineup has been set, with the afternoon and evening programming to be announced soon.

    Rumble Live Daytime Lineup (all times Eastern time zone)

    9:00 a.m. Evita Duffy-Alfonso
    10:00 a.m. Vince Coglianese
    11:00 a.m. Steven Crowder
    12:00 p.m. Tim Pool
    1:00 p.m. Russell Brand
    2:00 p.m. The Quartering
    4:00 p.m. Viva Frei

    “This is more proof that the content creator community at Rumble is the best place to be, because this new daily lineup will help everyone and be great programming for viewers. Creators in the lineup will build off each other’s audiences, and everyone on the platform will benefit by increased traffic across the board,” said Rumble Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chris Pavlovski. “Unlike the broadcast day on a television network, Rumble adheres to the principles of free speech and these are shows that people actually want to watch.”

    “YouTube is dead. Rumble did it. And I couldn’t be happier,” said popular content creator and host Steve Crowder. “This is a seismic shift a decade in the making. Let the games begin.”

    In addition to Rumble Live, the Rumble content lineup will continue to include viewer favorites Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Dave Rubin, Kim Iversen, Glenn Greenwald, Hayley Caronia, Jimmy Dore, Redacted News, and Badlands.

    Note: The Quartering will occupy the 1:00 p.m. timeslot for the first week of programming and Russell Brand’s show will resume at 1:00 p.m. the week of March 24th. On March 24th The Quartering will begin a two hour time slot at 2:00 p.m.

    ABOUT RUMBLE

    Rumble is a high-growth video platform and cloud services provider, founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Chris Pavlovski, which is creating an independent infrastructure intended to make it impervious to cancellation or censorship by Big Tech. Rumble’s mission is to restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. For more information, visit: corp.rumble.com.

    Contact: press@rumble.com

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ZL Tech Advances Federal AI Readiness with FedRAMP “In Process” Status, Tackling the Unstructured Data Challenge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MILPITAS, Calif., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As federal agencies strive to harness AI, the challenge of managing and governing unstructured data at scale remains a critical barrier. ZL Technologies (ZL Tech) is addressing this head-on, reinforcing its commitment to secure, compliant, and AI-ready data management with its newly achieved “In Process” status on the FedRAMP® Marketplace.

    Already certified for DoD classified records handling, ZL Tech now delivers the “guardrails” for AI-driven insights to federal agencies via its enterprise-grade governance and search capabilities.

    Empowering Federal Agencies with AI-Ready Data Governance

    ZL Tech has been a trusted partner to federal agencies for over a decade, providing secure data archiving, in-place data governance and global search. With the added rigor of FedRAMP, agencies will soon benefit from a fully authorized cloud solution designed to:

    • Enable AI-Driven Decision-Making – Organize, analyze, and extract insights from massive unstructured datasets.
    • Ensure End-to-End Compliance – Align with NARA, FOIA, and federal records mandates to securely manage mission-critical data.
    • Enhance Search & eDiscovery – AI-powered search enables rapid retrieval of key records for legal, investigative, and operational needs.
    • Automate Governance & Policy Enforcement – Enforce retention, security, and data lifecycle policies seamlessly.

    A Strategic Step Toward Federal Data Modernization

    “Our FedRAMP journey is about more than just security—it’s about helping federal agencies unlock strategic insights from unstructured data while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency,” said ZL Tech’s Head of Public Sector, Angela Kovach. “FedRAMP represents a significant step towards delivering institutional memory and enterprise-wide data intelligence for mission success.”

    ZL Tech continues to collaborate with key federal agencies to ensure that its solutions evolve alongside policy changes, compliance mandates, and advancements in AI-focused data governance.

    For more information on ZL Tech and its federal compliance initiatives, visit zlti.com or contact us at info@zlti.com.

    About ZL Technologies, Inc. 

    ZL Technologies’ unified information governance platform enables organizations to manage enterprise data for governance, risk, and compliance, while also leveraging it for AI and analytics. ZL Tech’s unique differentiator is its unified architecture, which delivers all data governance functions under one platform, thus eliminating today’s fractured data silos. With a proven track record of serving the Public Sector, Fortune 500 and beyond for over two decades, ZL Tech is the leader in harnessing big data for strategic advantage.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT in the engine room behind new infrastructure projects

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT MP and former civil engineer Simon Court is welcoming the suite of projects announced at the Investment Summit set to capitalise on new and improved private infrastructure delivery pathways.

    “The private sector brings innovation, expertise and capital – both domestic and international – that drives faster delivery of better infrastructure that stands the test of time.

    “After a long PPP hiatus, supercharging New Zealand’s PPP model was priority number one for me as Infrastructure Under-Secretary, and it’s pleasing to see several PPP projects take centre stage as we showcase to global investors New Zealand’s opportunities.”

    There are several PPP announcements from the Summit:

    • Transport: Northland Roads of National Significance PPP, with the first 26-kilometre stage approved for the next procurement stage.
    • Corrections: Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment PPP, with funding approved through Budget 2025.
    • Justice: three upcoming new courts in Waitakere and Rotorua to be delivered via PPP.

    Speaking from the Summit, Mr Court is buoyed by investor interest in other private-friendly opportunities relating to models he has led as Under-Secretary, including strategic leasing (or ‘PPP-lite’), market-led (or ‘unsolicited’) proposals, and Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act ‘special purpose vehicles’ (SPVs).

    “Health Minister Simeon Brown has signalled the trifecta of PPPs, strategic leasing, and market-led proposals are all on the cards for upcoming health infrastructure – all have important roles to play as we drive our health infrastructure recovery.

    “Summit attendees have already expressed particular interest to me in this ‘PPP-lite’ strategic leasing pathway as an easier way to get involved on smaller scale projects.

    “There was also significant interest in SPV opportunities – where private capital finances infrastructure in exchange for levies on those benefitting – under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act I am panel beating into shape. This is great news, particularly for local government infrastructure.”

    Mr Court is also welcoming the tolling concession announcements. Tolling concessions have delivered great infrastructure abroad, including through PPPs, where users – rather than taxpayers – foot the bill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: World Consumer Rights Day 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    World Consumer Rights Day 2025

    Key Initiatives and Developments in Consumer Protection

    Posted On: 14 MAR 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15, serves as an essential reminder of the need to uphold consumer rights and protection. The day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and encourage those rights to be respected and protected. World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983. This date was chosen to commemorate President John F. Kennedy’s address to the US Congress on March 15, 1962, where he became the first world leader to formally recognize consumer rights.

    The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2025 is, ‘A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles.’ This theme reflects the urgent need to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices available, accessible, and affordable for all consumers – while ensuring that these transitions uphold people’s basic rights and needs. This year’s campaign highlights the pathways needed to achieve sustainable lifestyles and call for stronger consumer protection and empowerment worldwide.

    The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has introduced several new initiatives and policies to empower consumers, strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensure a transparent and fair marketplace. In 2024, major developments included improvements in e-commerce regulations, digital consumer protection, product safety standards, and sustainable consumption initiatives.

    Consumer Protection Act, 2019

    With a view to modernize the framework governing the consumer protection in the new era of globalization, technologies, e-commerce markets etc., the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was repealed and Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for a three tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State and Central levels commonly known as “Consumer Commissions” for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes including those related with unfair trade practices. The Consumer Commissions are empowered to give relief of a specific nature and award, wherever appropriate, compensation to consumers.

    Further, in terms of Section 38 (7) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within five months if it requires analysis or testing of commodities.

    Consumer Welfare Fund

    The overall objective of the Consumer Welfare Fund is to provide financial assistance to promote and protect the welfare of consumers and strengthen the consumer movement in the country. Under the Rules, funds are given to the states/UTs as seed money as one time grant on 75:25 basis (90:10 in the case of Special Category states/UTs) to create a Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund. The states/UTs are required to carry out activities to provide coverage to projects for consumer welfare of local relevance out of the interests generated in the Corpus Fund every year.

    During the FY 2024-25, ₹32.68 crore have been released to various states for the establishment/enhancement of their respective State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund as Central Govt. share. As such, out of 28 States and 8 UTs, 24 States and 1 UT have established the Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Funds.

    Strengthening Consumer Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

    1. Expansion of E-Daakhil for Online Consumer Complaints

    Going through restrictions on consumers due to COVID-19, the E-Daakhil portal was introduced as inexpensive, speedy and hassle-free mechanism for filing consumer complaints. E-Daakhil is an innovative online platform designed to streamline the consumer grievance redressal process, providing an efficient and convenient way for consumers to approach the relevant consumer forum, dispensing the need to travel and be physically present to file their grievances. Since its inception, E-Daakhil has been a game-changer in promoting consumer rights and ensuring timely justice.

    The portal offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, allowing consumers to file complaints with minimal effort. From filing complaints to tracking their status, E-Daakhil ensures a paperless and transparent process with respect to filing of cases.

     

    The E-Daakhil portal was first launched on 7th September 2020 by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. In furtherance to the launching of E-Daakhil across the country, the government has also launched e-Jagriti, which will further streamline case filing, tracking, and management, ensuring a hassle-free experience for consumers and other stakeholders. It will also facilitate seamless communication between all parties, allowing for faster resolution of disputes. By automating and digitizing the process, e-Jagriti will reduce delays, minimize paperwork, and ensure timely disposal of cases, ultimately contributing to a more effective and accessible justice system for consumers.

    1. Enhancements to the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)

    The NCH has emerged as a central point of access for consumers seeking to address their grievances. It has played an essential role in enabling consumers to register complaints and seek resolutions in an efficient and effective manner. To further enhance the consumer grievance redressal process, the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has rolled out the NCH 2.0 initiative, which incorporates advanced technologies to streamline complaint handling. This includes the introduction of AI-powered Speech Recognition, a Translation System, and a Multilingual Chatbot. The NCH was upgraded with AI-powered assistance and extended multilingual support to help consumers lodge grievances effectively. Additionally, the helpline was further integrated with various regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for swift resolution of consumer issues.

    The number of calls received by NCH have grown more than tenfold, from 12,553 in December 2015 to 1,55,138 in December 2024. The Department has revamped the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), making it a central platform for grievance redressal at the pre-litigation stage. Available in 17 languages, including Hindi, English, and regional languages, the helpline allows consumers to register complaints via the toll-free number 1915. Complaints can also be filed through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) portal, which provides multiple channels such as WhatsApp, SMS, email, the NCH app, web portal, and the Umang app for ease of access.

    NCH has also partnered with over 1000 companies under its Convergence Programme to expedite grievance resolution. These companies span major sectors, including e-commerce, travel and tourism, private education, FMCG, consumer durables, electronic products, retail outlets, automobiles, DTH & cable services, and banking. Complaints related to these convergence companies are directly transferred to them for online resolution.

    1. Jaago Grahak Jaago Portal and Mobile App

    The Department of Consumer Affairs provides essential e-commerce information about all URLs during a consumer’s online activities, alerting them if any URL may be unsafe and requires caution, through the Jaago Grahak Jaago online portal and the recently launched mobile application. These portals are dedicated to empowering consumers by providing them with the information, resources and support they need to make informed decisions and assert their rights in the marketplace.

    Consumer Protection in E-Commerce and Digital Transactions

    1. New E-Commerce Guidelines

    To safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These rules, inter-alia, outline the responsibilities of e-commerce entities and specify the liabilities of marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including provisions for customer grievance redressal.

    The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued the “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023” on 30th November, 2023. These guidelines address and regulate 13 specific dark patterns identified in the ecommerce sector, aiming to prevent deceptive practices that mislead consumers. 

    1. E-Commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance Draft Standard by BIS

    The draft Indian standard on “E-Commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance” by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) aims to establish a transparent, fair, and consumer-friendly framework for online marketplaces. It outlines principles across three key phases—pre-transaction, contract formation, and post-transaction—to ensure ethical e-commerce operations. The document mandates clear product disclosures, including pricing breakdowns, seller details, country of origin, return policies, and data privacy measures. It enforces explicit consumer consent for transactions, prohibits misleading advertisements, and strengthens grievance redressal mechanisms under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Additionally, it introduces strict measures against counterfeit products, unfair trade practices, and preferential treatment of sellers, ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders.

    By prioritizing consumer rights and fair business practices, the standard seeks to empower buyers with greater transparency and security in online transactions. It prevents deceptive pricing, hidden charges, and forced bundling of services while ensuring secure payment processes and clear refund policies. The document also includes anti-counterfeiting measures, requiring platforms to swiftly address complaints regarding fake products. Additionally, it mandates that e-commerce platforms protect consumer data, obtain explicit consent for marketing communications, and provide accessible mechanisms for dispute resolution. If implemented, this framework will enhance consumer trust in e-commerce, promote ethical business conduct, and create a more accountable digital marketplace in India.

    As India observes World Consumer Rights Day 2025, the focus remains on ensuring a safer, more transparent, and consumer-friendly economy.

    References

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088051

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2100545

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2077618

    https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=151874

    https://www.consumersinternational.org/what-we-do/world-consumer-rights-day/a-just-transition-to-sustainable-lifestyles-2025/

    https://www.facebook.com/MyGovIndia/posts/consumer-protection-act-2019-comes-into-force-which-empowers-and-protects-the-ri/3162267540554080/

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2076557

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2077857

    https://e-jagriti.gov.in/

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/183/AU3702_dFKDBW.pdf?source=pqals

    https://www.services.bis.gov.in/tmp/WCSSD41126940_16012025_1.pdf

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2057940

    https://x.com/jagograhakjago

    Kindly find the pdf file.

    ***

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2111397) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 89th Meeting of Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti evaluates key infrastructure projects

    Source: Government of India (2)

    89th Meeting of Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti evaluates key infrastructure projects

    NPG evaluates Road, Railway and Metro projects

    Posted On: 14 MAR 2025 5:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The 89th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG), chaired by Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Shri Pankaj Kumar, convened today to evaluate infrastructure projects in the Road, Railway, and Metro sectors. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).

    The NPG evaluated eight projects (four Road, three Railway, and one Metro) for their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes, and intermodal coordination. These initiatives are expected to boost logistical efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits across regions.

    Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)

    1. Two-lane with paved shoulder from Darugiri to Dalu section in Meghalaya

    The project involves the development of the existing road into a two-lane highway with a paved shoulder along the Darugiri to Dalu section of NH-62 (New NH-217) in Meghalaya. This 136.11 km-long stretch passes through East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, and West Garo Hills, significantly enhancing regional connectivity. Given its strategic location, this corridor is essential for facilitating cross-border trade and regional economic development.

    1. Construction of a four-lane tunnel connectivity across River Brahmaputra between Gohpur and Numaligarh

    The project involves the construction of India’s first-ever road tunnel beneath a major river. The four-lane tunnel under the Brahmaputra will reduce travel time from 6.5 hours to just 30 minutes, shortening the distance from 240 km to 34 km. This twin-tube, unidirectional underwater tunnel will enhance connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and other northeastern states.

    1. Widening and improvement of the existing carriageway to four lanes of the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section

    This project aims to upgrade the existing highway from two lanes to four lanes along the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section (NH-37/NH-715) in Assam. Covering 85.67 km across Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat districts, the project incorporates wildlife-friendly measures such as an elevated corridor and wildlife crossings to protect Kaziranga National Park’s biodiversity.

    1. Construction/upgradation to two-lane with paved shoulder from Mayjilar to Jaisalmer with Jaisalmer Bypass Link Road

    Spanning 138.177 km, this project in Rajasthan includes brownfield and greenfield stretches along NH-11 and NH-70. It aims to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, facilitate defense movement, and enhance road safety.

    Ministry of Railways (MoR)

    1. Badlapur-Karjat third and fourth line expansion

    The 32.460 km-long brownfield project addresses increasing passenger and freight congestion along the Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-Wadi-Chennai corridor. Enhancing connectivity between key commuter hubs and freight transit points, this project will benefit towns including Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri, and Karjat.

    1. Construction of the fourth line from Nergundi to Cuttack with a flyover at Nergundi

    The 15.99 km-long brownfield railway infrastructure project in Odisha aims to decongest existing rail lines, facilitate freight movement, and ensure smoother operations along a key corridor serving Paradip Port, Talcher coalfields, and major steel and power industries.

    1. Construction of a doubling line from Haridaspur to Paradip

    The 74.09 km-long brownfield project in Odisha will enhance freight transportation capacity and logistics efficiency, facilitating seamless coal transportation from Talcher Coalfields to Paradip Port while supporting industrial expansion in the Angul-Jharsuguda cluster.

    Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

    1. Rajkot Metro Rail Project

    The Rajkot Metro Project is a greenfield urban transport initiative aimed at reducing congestion and providing a sustainable mode of transport in Rajkot, Gujarat. Covering 41.11 km, the project integrates seamlessly with existing urban infrastructure, ensuring multimodal connectivity with regional rail, city bus services, and intermediate public transport such as autos and cycle rickshaws.

    These infrastructure projects, aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, will significantly enhance connectivity, improve logistics, and contribute to regional and national economic growth.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

     

    (Release ID: 2111396) Visitor Counter : 11

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest more than 200 alien offenders during enhanced gang operation in Northern Virginia

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CHANTILLY, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners apprehended 214 illegal aliens during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders in Northern Virginia March 1 to 13.

    “Our communities in Virginia are safer today because our law enforcement officers stood between them and the danger. During this enforcement operation, ICE and our law enforcement partners targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most gang-infested neighborhoods in Northern Virginia, and this resulted in 214 arrests,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russ Hott. “Over 200 arrests in such a brief time is an impressive number by any measure. It is truly awe-inspiring to see what can be accomplished with the level of cooperation shared among our federal, state and local law enforcement partners. Everyone was truly invested in the success of this joint operation. ICE will continue our mission to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our Washington, D.C. and Virginia communities.”

    ICE and their law enforcement partners targeted transnational criminal organizations known to operate in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. These organizations include the notorious MS-13 and 18th Street gangs.

    “The agents and officers involved in this enhanced operation truly made a difference in the Northern Virginia communities. The apprehension of 214 alien offenders is impressive and was only made possible through strong partnerships,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “The level of dedication to this operation by the entire team was impressive to witness. Each of our law enforcement partners brought their own expertise to the mission. This was truly a team effort. ICE will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle transnational criminal organizations working in our neighborhoods.”

    “The level of support ICE received from our partner law enforcement organizations was inspiring,” said Hott. “In the spirit of illicit gang activity, we are making gang members an offer they can’t refuse; leave the United States now. If you don’t, we will find you, and there will be consequences. We will arrest and prosecute you to the full extent of the law.”

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

    • A 26-year-old Salvadoran alien and member of MS-13 previously convicted for malicious wounding and larceny.
    • A 46-year-old, previously removed Salvadoran alien and member of MS-13 previously convicted for carrying a concealed weapon, trespassing, illegal re-entry after removal, and disorderly conduct.
    • A 40-year-old Salvadoran alien and member of MS-13 who is wanted by authorities in El Salvador for aggravated extortion.
    • A 37-year-old Jamaican alien previously convicted for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
    • A 46-year-old Mexican alien previously convicted for indecent liberties with a minor and soliciting a minor for prostitution.
    • A 27-year-old Honduran alien previously convicted for object sexual penetration. The alien is currently detained pending removal proceedings.

    Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were: U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia; FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Office of the Governor; the Office of the Attorney General; Virginia State Police; and Virginia Department of Corrections.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: illumin Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fourth Quarter Revenue shows Growth Across All Service Lines by 35% YoY to $49.9 Million
    Full Year Revenue Grows 11% YoY to $140.4 Million
    Self-Service Revenue Grew by 45% YoY for the Quarter and 78% for the Full Year
    Adjusted EBITDA Improved by 42% YoY for the Quarter and 104% for the Full Year

    (All monetary figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated)

    TORONTO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — illumin Holdings Inc. (TSX: ILLM and OTCQB: ILLMF) (“illumin” or the “Company”), a journey advertising technology company that empowers marketers to make smarter decisions about communicating with online consumers, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Revenue was $49.9 million, up 35% year-over-year, driven by increases across all three service lines.
    • Self-service revenue was up 45% to $13.0 million, compared to $8.9 million in the year ago period and represented 26% of total revenue, up from 24% in Q4 2023.
    • The Company onboarded 23 net new self-service clients during the quarter, reflecting sales initiatives targeting higher-spend clients and positioning the Company for continued self-service revenue growth.
    • Managed service revenue was up 28% from the prior year to $23.7 million, increasing for the 3rd consecutive quarter.
    • Exchange services revenue increased by 39% from prior year to $13.2 million.
    • Gross margin was 45%, compared to 49% for the same period in 2023, and was lower mainly due to product mix.
    • Net revenue, or gross profit (revenue less media-related costs), was $22.7 million, compared with $18.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $3.9 million, compared to $2.8 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to higher revenue and a strengthened US dollar.
    • Net income was $4.1 million, compared to a net loss of $2.6 million in Q4 2023. The increase was primarily a result of higher revenue and a net foreign exchange gain versus a loss in the prior year period, partially offset by higher costs.
    • Cash and cash equivalents increased by $4.5 million, or 9%, from September 30, 2024, to $56.0 million.
    • On December 23, 2024, the Company commenced a new normal course issuer bid (“2024 NCIB”) to purchase for cancellation up to 3,914,167 of its outstanding common shares. The 2024 NCIB replaces the previous NCIB (“2023 NCIB”), which expired on November 12, 2024. The Company did not purchase and cancel any of its outstanding common shares under either NCIB plan in the quarter.

    Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights

    • Revenue rose 11% year-over-year to $140.4 million.
    • Self-service was up by 78% from the prior year to $38.4 million.
    • Managed service decreased by 7% year-over-year to $67.7 million. The decline was limited by the efforts in the second half of the year, which showed significant growth in this service line.
    • Exchange services increased by 8% from the prior year to $34.3 million.
    • Gross margin was 47% compared to 48% for the prior year.
    • Net revenue, or gross profit (revenue less media-related costs), was $65.5 million, compared to $60.3 million for the same period in 2023.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $6.3 million compared to $3.1 million for the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to higher revenues, partially offset by higher operating costs.
    • Net income was $0.9 million, compared to a net loss of $11.0 million in the prior year.
    • During the year, the Company repurchased 3,310,384 of its common shares at an average price of $1.61 per share for total consideration of $5.3 million under the 2023 NCIB. No repurchases were made under the 2024 NCIB in the year.
    • At December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $56.0 million, compared to $55.5 million as of December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to a favorable foreign exchange impact on cash and cash equivalents, positive cash from operating activities before changes in working capital, and fluctuations in timing of non-cash operating working capital in the year. This was partially offset by the repurchase of the Company’s shares, investments in our technology platform, property and equipment, and payments on leases.

    Simon Cairns, illumin’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We delivered strong revenue growth in the fourth quarter, which rose 35% year-over-year fueled by increases across all of our revenue lines. During the quarter, we continued to see considerable revenue growth in self-service, which grew 45% year-over-year. This also represents our third consecutive quarter of managed service growth, which increased 28% year-over-year. These results indicate that more companies are recognizing the value of both our managed service and self-service solutions. In addition, we continued to see substantial growth and momentum in our exchange services business, which increased 39% from the prior year.”

    Mr. Cairns added, “As these results show, the customer-centric approach we implemented in the second half of 2024, which focuses on marketing and selling more effectively and efficiently, has proven to be very successful in helping us bring on new customers and expanding our relationships with existing clients. This approach lets us leverage our technology platform and offer our clients a full range of answers, whether it be self-service, managed campaigns, exchange services or a hybrid approach, if that best fits their evolving needs. Our results also showcase our success to date in advancing our illumin self-service roadmap and addressing operational efficiencies throughout our organization. We are extremely pleased with our progress to date and look forward to continuing this momentum in 2025.”

    “As we advance into 2025, we know our first quarter is the toughest due to impacts of seasonally lower client spend-which is extra challenging this year due to more recent heightened economic instability.  As a management team, we’re focused on winning the year as we advance on our platform to drive leads through better marketing and a new brand strategy. We will deliver a quicker selling process to onboard customers, improve platform stickiness, and more effectively present a choice of options on how customers can be supported over their lifecycle with us.”

    Elliot Muchnik, illumin’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “During the fourth quarter, we reported a significant year-over-year increase in total revenue, reflecting growth in self-service, managed service and exchange services revenue, which helped drive a year-over-year improvement in Adjusted EBITDA of 42% and 104% for the quarter and year, respectively. As we look ahead into 2025, operational discipline remains a priority for us so we can further grow our Adjusted EBITDA while funding continued product development and expansion of our sales and marketing capabilities.”

    The following table presents a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods ended:

    (in $000s) Three months ended   Twelve months ended  
      December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Net income (loss) for the period $ 4,127   $ (2,579 ) $ 867   $ (10,987 )
    Adjustments:        
    Finance income, net   (414 )   (528 )   (1,821 )   (2,122 )
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)   (3,617 )   2,034     (5,066 )   2,827  
    Depreciation and amortization   1,309     1,110     5,355     5,482  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   826     82     988     (1,095 )
    Share-based compensation   850     1,141     3,732     5,725  
    Severance expenses   835     940     1,195     1,307  
    Nasdaq-related costs   –     431     736     1,813  
    Other non-recurring expenses   31     157     347     157  
    Total adjustments   (180 )   5,367     5,466     14,094  
    Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 3,947   $ 2,788   $ 6,333   $ 3,107  
     

    Conference Call Details:

    Date: Friday, March 14, 2024
    Time: 8:30AM Eastern Time

    To register for the conference call webcast and presentation, please visit https://events.illumin.com/q4-2024-earnings-call.

    Please connect 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. A recording of the conference call webcast will be available after the call by visiting the Company’s website at https://illumin.com/investor-information/.

    Non-IFRS Measures

    This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS Accounting Standard measures (“non-IFRS measures”). These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”), do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures including “revenue less media-related costs”, “Gross margin”, and “Adjusted EBITDA” (as well as other measures discussed elsewhere in this press release).

    The term “Gross margin” refers to the amount that “revenue less media-related costs” represents as a percentage of total revenue for a given period. Gross margin is used for internal management purposes as an indicator of the performance of the Company’s solution in balancing the goals of delivering excellent results to advertisers while meeting the Company’s margin objectives and, accordingly, the Company believes it is useful supplemental information.

    “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to net income (loss) after adjusting for finance costs (income), impairment loss, fair value gain, income taxes, foreign exchange loss (gain), depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, acquisition and related integration costs, severance expenses and adjustments to the carrying value of investment tax credits receivable. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the results generated by the Company’s main business activities before taking into consideration how those activities are financed and taxed and prior to taking into consideration depreciation of property and equipment and certain other items listed above. It is a key measure used by the Company’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate the Company’s operating performance, to prepare annual budgets and to help develop operating plans.

    These non-IFRS measures are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We believe that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers, and that these non-IFRS measures are relevant to their analysis of the Company.

    About illumin:

    illumin is evolving the digital advertising landscape by empowering marketers to achieve transformative results through its customer-centric approach. Featuring a unified canvas built around the open web, illumin lets brands and agencies seamlessly plan, build, and execute campaigns across the entire marketing funnel—connecting programmatic channels, email, and social media within a single platform. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, illumin serves clients across North America, Latin America, and Europe. For more information, visit illumin.com.

    Disclaimer with regard to forward looking statements

    Certain statements included herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company’s belief that the NCIB is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that underlying value of the Company may not be reflected in the market price of the Shares.   Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, illumin does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

    For further information, please contact:

    Steve Hosein
    Investor Relations
    illumin Holdings Inc.
    416-218-9888 x5313
    investors@illumin.com    		   David Hanover
    Investor Relations – U.S.
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    212-896-1220
    dhanover@kcsa.com
         

    Please note that the following financial information is an extract from the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (the “Financial Statements”) provided for readers’ convenience and should be viewed in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements, which are an integral part of the statements. The full Financial Statements and MD&A for the period may be found by accessing SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.


    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

        December 31,
    2024    		     December 31,
    2023
    		  
    Assets          
               
    Current assets          
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 55,952     $ 55,455  
    Accounts receivable     44,650       32,136  
    Income tax receivable     613       3,301  
    Prepaid expenses and other     2,864       4,123  
               
          104,079       95,015  
    Non-current assets          
    Other assets     115       63  
    Property and equipment     7,406       9,329  
    Intangible assets     9,352       7,618  
    Goodwill     4,870       4,870  
               
          125,822       116,895  
               
    Liabilities          
               
    Current liabilities          
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     39,148       26,488  
    Income tax payable     137       717  
    Borrowings     48       131  
    Lease obligations     1,513       1,726  
               
          40,846       29,062  
    Non-current liabilities          
    Borrowings     –       47  
    Deferred tax liability     1,241       1,001  
    Lease obligations     4,702       6,087  
               
          46,789       36,197  
               
    Shareholders’ equity     79,033       80,698  
               
          125,822       116,895  
               

    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
    For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

          2024       2023  
           
    Revenue   $ 140,389     $ 126,318  
           
    Media-related costs     74,931       66,023  
           
    Gross profit     65,458       60,295  
           
    Operating expenses      
    Sales and marketing     25,927       26,104  
    Technology     20,407       19,695  
    General and administrative     15,069       14,666  
    Share-based compensation     3,732       5,725  
    Depreciation and amortization     5,355       5,482  
           
          70,490       71,672  
           
    Loss from operations     (5,032 )     (11,377 )
           
    Finance income, net     (1,821 )     (2,122 )
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)     (5,066 )     2,827  
           
          (6,887 )     705  
           
    Net income (loss) before income taxes     1,855       (12,082 )
           
    Income tax expense (benefit)     988       (1,095 )
           
    Net income (loss) for the year     867       (10,987 )
           
           
    Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share     0.02       (0.20 )
           
    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)      
           
    Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net income (loss):      
    Exchange loss on translating foreign operations     (980 )     (1,860 )
           
    Comprehensive loss for the year     (113 )     (12,847 )
     

    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
    For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

          2024       2023  
    Cash provided by (used in)        
             
    Operating activities        
    Net income (loss) for the year   $ 867     $ (10,987 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows        
    Depreciation and amortization     5,355       5,482  
    Finance income, net     (1,821 )     (2,122 )
    Share-based compensation     3,732       5,725  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)     (5,066 )     2,827  
    Severance expense     789       850  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     988       (1,095 )
    Change in non-cash operating working capital        
    Accounts receivable     (11,578 )     (296 )
    Prepaid expenses and other     1,361       (2,906 )
    Other assets     (53 )     185  
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     11,883       (1,811 )
    Income taxes refunded (paid), net     1,573       99  
    Interest received     2,101       2,658  
             
          10,131       (1,391 )
             
    Investing activities        
    Additions to property and equipment     (1,690 )     (867 )
    Additions to intangible assets     (4,257 )     (4,375 )
             
          (5,947 )     (5,242 )
             
    Financing activities        
    Repayment of term loans     –       (4,411 )
    Proceeds from international loans     –       1,181  
    Repayment of international loans     (130 )     (1,435 )
    Payment of leases     (2,132 )     (3,020 )
    Repurchase of common shares for cancellation     (5,310 )     (15,313 )
    Proceeds from the exercise of stock options     33       7  
             
          (7,539 )     (22,991 )
             
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (3,355 )     (29,624 )
             
    Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents     3,852       (862 )
             
    Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year     55,455       85,941  
             
    Cash and cash equivalents – end of year     55,952       55,455  
             
    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions        
    Adjustments to property and equipment under leases     –       4,403  
    Unpaid additions (reversals) to property and equipment, net     (734 )     734  
    Unpaid taxes on share repurchases     7       –  
             

    1Nasdaq-related costs are listing fees and directors’ and officers’ insurance specific to the Company’s Nasdaq listing and have been reclassed below Adjusted EBITDA as they are not recurring. The prior year numbers have been adjusted to conform to the current year presentation.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Primech AI to Showcase HYTRON AI-Powered Autonomous Bathroom Cleaning Robot at RoboSG 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech AI Pte. Ltd. (“Primech AI”) or (the “Company”), a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PMEC), today announced its participation at RoboSG 2025, where it will showcase HYTRON, its groundbreaking AI-powered autonomous bathroom cleaning robot. HYTRON represents Primech AI’s continued efforts to transform facility services.

    From left to right: Leng Wei Jie, Senior Executive, Innovation & Technology, Charles Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Primech AI, HYTRON, and Leow Joon Kiat, Senior Maintenance Engineer

    HYTRON will be demonstrated live at Booth T18 in The Nexus, Punggol Digital District’s Discovery Hub section, during the two-day RoboSG 2025 event on March 14-15, 2025. The robot combines cutting-edge AI technology with advanced smart sensors to deliver precision cleaning solutions specifically designed for high-traffic bathroom facilities.

    RoboSG 2025 is Singapore’s premier robotics and automation exhibition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in robotics and their practical applications across various sectors. The event serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges through automation and artificial intelligence.

    “HYTRON represents the future of cleaning technology and demonstrates our commitment to redefining hygiene standards through innovation,” said Charles Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Primech AI. “This autonomous solution boosts operational efficiency and addresses the industry’s ongoing challenges with maintaining consistently high cleanliness standards in high-traffic facilities. We’re excited to showcase this revolutionary technology at RoboSG 2025 and invite all stakeholders in facility management, real estate, and technology sectors to witness the future of cleaning in action.”

    About Primech Holdings Limited
    Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.

    About Primech AI
    Primech AI is a leading robotics company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. With a team of passionate individuals and a commitment to collaboration, Primech AI is poised to revolutionize the robotics industry with groundbreaking solutions that make a meaningful impact on society. For more information, visit www.primech.ai.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    Company Contact:
    Email: ir@primech.com.sg

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
    Tel: 347-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Depot Appoints Chris Ryan as Chief Legal Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Depot (NASDAQ: BTM), a U.S.-based Bitcoin ATM (“BTM”) operator and leading fintech company, announced today that Chris Ryan has been appointed Chief Legal Officer. With a strong background in financial services, cryptocurrency, and regulatory compliance, Ryan will be instrumental in guiding the company’s legal operations as it continues expanding access to Bitcoin.

    As Chief Legal Officer, Ryan will lead Bitcoin Depot’s legal and compliance strategy, advising the executive team on governance, risk management, and regulatory matters. He will also oversee partnerships, legal operations, and policy initiatives to support the company’s continued expansion.

    Before joining Bitcoin Depot, Ryan served as Deputy General Counsel at MoneyGram International, where he led global legal teams working on cryptocurrency initiatives, regulatory strategy, and commercial partnerships across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa. With over a decade of experience, he has negotiated high-profile fintech deals, advised on blockchain product strategies, and developed compliance frameworks for digital assets and payments. He has also worked closely with policymakers on evolving cryptocurrency regulations and overseen key areas like AML, KYC, and financial compliance. His expert understanding of risk management, corporate transactions, and regulatory affairs will be key as Bitcoin Depot continues to strengthen its position as the largest Bitcoin ATM operator in the U.S.

    “Chris has spent his career navigating complex financial and regulatory landscapes while leading high-performing legal and compliance teams,” said Brandon Mintz, CEO and founder of Bitcoin Depot. “His experience in fintech, blockchain, and global regulatory strategy will be invaluable as we continue expanding access to Bitcoin, enhancing compliance, and positioning Bitcoin Depot for long-term success. With the cryptocurrency industry evolving rapidly, Chris’s leadership will ensure we remain ahead of the curve.”

    “Bitcoin Depot is at the forefront of making Bitcoin more accessible to people everywhere, and I’m excited to join at such a transformational time,” said Ryan. “With the crypto industry rapidly evolving, building a strong regulatory and compliance foundation is more important than ever. I look forward to working alongside the team to support Bitcoin Depot’s growth and advance its mission of bringing Bitcoin to the masses through its cash-to-crypto model.”

    Ryan holds a J.D. from the Florida Coastal School of Law and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Dayton.

    About Bitcoin Depot 
    Bitcoin Depot Inc. (Nasdaq: BTM) was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect those who prefer to use cash to the broader, digital financial system. Bitcoin Depot provides its users with simple, efficient and intuitive means of converting cash into Bitcoin, which users can deploy in the payments, spending and investing space. Users can convert cash to bitcoin at Bitcoin Depot kiosks in 48 states and at thousands of name-brand retail locations in 29 states through its BDCheckout product. The Company has the largest market share in North America with approximately 8,400 kiosk locations as of December 31, 2024. Learn more at www.bitcoindepot.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release and any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of plans, business strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance, including our growth strategy and ability to increase deployment of our products and services, our ability to strengthen our financial profile, and worldwide growth in the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “appears,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “designed,” “effect,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “initiative,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,“ ”plan,“ ”potential,“ ”priorities,“ ”project,“ ”pursue,“ ”seek,“ ”should,“ ”target,“ ”when,“ ”will,“ ”would,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of our projected financial information; future global, regional or local economic and market conditions; the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations; our ability to manage future growth; our ability to develop new products and services, bring them to market in a timely manner and make enhancements to our platform; the effects of competition on our future business; our ability to issue equity or equity-linked securities; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those factors described or referenced in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change.

    We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    Contacts: 

    Investors  
    Cody Slach 
    Gateway Group, Inc.  
    949-574-3860  
    BTM@gateway-grp.com 

    Media  
    Brenlyn Motlagh, Ryan Deloney  
    Gateway Group, Inc. 
    949-574-3860  
    BTM@gateway-grp.com 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab09ac94-e75b-4fd6-9010-b8652a89fc74

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-42 CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS RESULTS IN SENTENCING FOR TWO MEN; CHARGES FOR ONE WOMAN IN SEPARATE STINGS

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-42 CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS RESULTS IN SENTENCING FOR TWO MEN; CHARGES FOR ONE WOMAN IN SEPARATE STINGS

    Posted on Mar 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

     

     

    CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS RESULTS IN SENTENCING FOR TWO MEN; CHARGES FOR ONE WOMAN IN SEPARATE STINGS

     

    News Release 2025-42

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               

    March 13, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – The Department of the Attorney General successfully prosecuted two men for selling illegal aerial fireworks in the community prior to the new year, following law enforcement sting operations to identify and arrest distributors of illegal fireworks.

     

    Wolfgang Clark pled no contest today and was granted a deferred plea to two counts of felony fireworks offenses, in violation of sections 132D-14 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. On February 19, 2025, Daniel C. Young pled no contest and was granted a deferred plea to two counts of felony fireworks offenses, in violation of sections 132D-14 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     

    A violation for each offense currently is a class C felony offense that carries up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Both defendants were granted a deferred plea over the state’s objection, are required to pay a fine of $5,000, and will be under court supervision for four years. 

     

    In addition to sting operations, the Illegal Fireworks Task Force is also working to interdict shipments of fireworks entering the state through Hawaiʻi’s ports. On March 11, 2025, Explicit Pyrotechnics, LLC., and its owner, Josephine Quintanilla, also known as Josephine Langas and Josephine Henderson, was charged with Importation of Fireworks Without a Valid License or Permit, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The requisite federal and state permits are required to import fireworks into the state. While in possession of a federal permit, Explicit Pyrotechnics, LLC., is alleged to have imported fireworks into the state without first obtaining a state permit. 

     

    “The judgments in these cases are a step in the right direction for holding distributors accountable,” said Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement. “If we are able to increase the penalties for fireworks distributors this legislative session, the Department of Law Enforcement is confident that we can reduce the availability of fireworks in our community.”

                                                         

    The cases were investigated by the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, which included the Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department.  The cases are prosecuted by the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of the Attorney General.

     

    “I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the law enforcement agencies involved in the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, as well as to my Criminal Justice Division staff, for all their hard work investigating these illegal operators and bringing them to justice,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “Together we will do everything in our power to enforce the law so that what happened on New Year’s Eve never happens again.”

     

    Criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

     

    # # #

     

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day
     Special Assistant to the Attorney General
     Office: 808-586-1284
     Email: [email protected]
     Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    Toni Schwartz
    Public Information Officer
     Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
    Office:     808-586-1252
    Cell:     808-379-9249
     Email: [email protected] 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 3.13.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 13, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Andrew King, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Data Operations Strategy at the Office of Data and Innovation. King has been Manager of the Data Operations Section at the California Air Resources Board since 2023, and has held several positions since 2018, including Staff Air Pollution Specialist, Air Pollution Specialist for the Transportation Analysis Section, and Air Pollution Specialist for the Criteria Pollutant Inventory Section. He was an Economist at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2017 to 2018. King was a Managing Consultant at Red Peak Economic Consulting from 2013 to 2017. He was a Senior Accountability Analyst at the California Charter Schools Association from 2012 to 2013. King earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $168,468. King is a Democrat.

    Lavelle Parker, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been appointed Warden of California Institution for Women, where he has been serving as Acting Warden since 2024 and was Chief Deputy Warden in 2024. Lavelle was Chief Deputy Warden at California Rehabilitation Center from 2020 to 2024. He was Associate Warden at California Institution for Men from 2012 to 2020. Lavelle held several positions at California State Prison, Los Angeles from 1992 to 2012, including Correctional Counselor III, Correctional Captain, Correctional Counselor II Supervisor, Correctional Counsel I, and Correctional Officer. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $193,524. Parker is registered without party preference.

    Yolanda Franco-Clausen, of Hayward, has been appointed to the California Sex Offender Management Board. Franco-Clausen has served as a Police Officer for the City of Palo Alto Police Department since 2016. They were a Job Development Coordinator at Employment and Community Options in 2016. Franco-Clausen was the Co-Founder and Executive Director of PLAYNICE Productions, Inc., from 2013 to 2014. They are a member of the Palo Alto Police Officers Association. Franco-Clausen earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern California School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Franco-Clausen is a Democrat.

    Sarah Metz, of Alameda, has been appointed to the California Sex Offender Management Board. Dr. Metz has been Director of the Division of Trauma Recovery Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco since 2019. She was a Staff Psychologist and Clinical Coordinator at the University of California, San Francisco Trauma Recovery Center from 2015 to 2019. Dr. Metz was a Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System from 2011 to 2015, where she was previously a Healthcare Specialist from 2010 to 2011. She earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College in Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Towson University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Dr. Metz is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Mar 13, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is expanding its collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to leverage cutting-edge technologies to protect public health and help Los Angeles rebuild.  LOS ANGELES – As part of the state’s ongoing actions to support…

    Mar 12, 2025

    News What you need to know: Californians are urged to take precautions now as severe weather sets in throughout the state. SACRAMENTO – With severe weather expected to impact much of California today through Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom and state emergency officials…

    Mar 12, 2025

    News What you need to know: California continues to lead in technology as home to the majority of the nation’s top AI companies. SACRAMENTO – Home to Silicon Valley and the birthplace of the tech industry, California continues to dominate this sector as the leader in…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Maui and Kaua’i Streams Flowing at Record-Low Levels, March 13, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Maui and Kaua’i Streams Flowing at Record-Low Levels, March 13, 2025

    Posted on Mar 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    MAUI AND KAUA‘I STREAMS FLOWING AT RECORD-LOW LEVELS

    Recent Rain has Helped, but Drought Conditions Expected to Persist

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 13, 2025 

    ALAKA‘I PLATEAU, Kaua‘i – To the untrained eye the water level in Kawaikōī Stream, which drains a portion of the vast Alaka‘i Plateau on Kaua‘i, looks fine. The trained eyes and stream flow measurements by hydrologists with the state Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) tell a far different story.

    “This stream is flowing at record low flows for the last seven to nine months. Right now, we’re at about 20% of normal flow for this time of year, which does not bode well for the dry season. This is typically the wettest part of the year,” explains Dr. Aryon Strauch, CWRM’s lead hydrologist.

    Without significant rainfall between now and the start of the “normal” dry season, this winter’s drought conditions across much of Hawai‘i are expected to worsen significantly.

    “We are seeing record-low flows in terms of the entire period of record on Kawaikōī, that’s about 109 years. In some of the East Maui streams, 105 years. But we’ve not seen low flows like this across the state to this extent ever before,” Strauch said.

    Some streams are already completely dry and that’s affecting water availability for drinking water supplies, for traditional and customary practices, and for agriculture.

    Water managers like Mike Faye (pronounced fi-yah), of the Kekaha Agriculture Association, will be faced with distributing a dwindling supply of water to ag users and unless conditions improve, expect some to be left high and dry.

    “Our role is to take care of the infrastructure which consists of two ditch systems that come out of the mountains in Kōkeʻe – the Kekaha ditch and the in Kōkeʻe ditch,” Faye remarked. The association also operates two hydroelectric plants which it maintains, along with 30 miles of power lines and 30 miles of roads. If water flows continue to drop, the power they produce could cease along with water delivery to the nine leasees on mauka lands above Kekaha and the Mānā Plain. That is 13,000 acres in total, which formerly supported Kauaʻi’s plantation-era sugar industry. The agriculture tenants are licensed through the state’s Agribusiness Development Corporation.

    Strauch added, “One of the benefits of having long-term data sets is being able to talk about the severity of the drought conditions being observed relative to 100 years of record, and by explaining that these are unprecedented flows.”

    “For the last nine months, we’ve only had maybe 12 days of peak flow conditions, which is very unusual, and we can compare that to a normal year, where we might have 60 days of peak flow conditions. The availability of water is just severely limited. Despite the water flowing in the stream, it’s just not flowing very much,” Strauch said.

    While water from the Kōkeʻe ditch continues to spill into Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, even without measurements, Strauch and his team can tell the volume is quite low. Every day the shoreline expands as water levels in the popular trout-fishing spot continue to drop.

    Using sophisticated instruments and data from permanent stream flow measurement stations, the CWRM team regularly monitors conditions of 80 waterways statewide. The outlook is particularly bleak in west Kaua‘i and in east and west Maui.

    “Honokōhau Stream, in West Maui, the medium flow for this time of year is about 20 cubic feet per second (CFS), or about 12 to 13 million gallons per day,” Strauch said. Last week the stream was flowing at eight to nine CFS, or five and a half to six million gallons per day, which was, a third or 25% of normal flows. Recent rains have improved the Honokōhau Stream flow to 11.8 CFS.

    Wailuku River in ʻĪao Valley saw improved stream flow over the past week, moving from 15 CFS to 22 CFS. “Normal flow is about 25 and again, these flows are supplying water for drinking water supply. They’re supplying water for in-stream values, and it becomes a real challenge to manage water demand and water availability when we’re trying to protect a number of competing public trust uses,” Strauch said.

    Rain-rich East Maui is experiencing the same thing. Record-breaking low stream flows. Maui County has already imposed various stages of water conservation because of the current water shortage and for what’s predicted across the summer and into the next wet season.

    Strauch concluded, “Obviously this impacts people who are directly reliant on the streams. But long-term agriculture and other off-stream uses that may not be the priority of the public trust uses of water, they’re going to suffer, because we just don’t have enough water right now to meet the demands.”  He hopes late winter rains will continue to improve the water situation statewide, but in case that doesn’t happen, water conservation will be key, he said.

    # # #

     

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

    HD video – West Kaua‘i stream flow conditions (March 6, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ma0woqqwwcenbqlu4u2zy/Drought-West-Kaua-i-Stream-Flow-Conditions-March-6-2025.mov?rlkey=nfc61ohx8kbmrgd88n2yigqg3&st=s1rdzr7c&dl=0

    (Shot sheet/transcription attached)

    HD video – East Maui stream flow conditions (March 3, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dpuw7g63xpx6chkstx692/Maui-Nui-stream-flow-conditions.mov?rlkey=1cks70yioim4sbw0au7neqvq1&st=d9y5ai26&dl=0

    Photographs – West Kaua‘i stream flow conditions (March 6, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/un2u70jhbuugru7d4pgw9/APw2XLO0V6pRkzGfqP1vzyI?rlkey=ej79e4oq6qxbga73zcs5n4p8h&st=yjnqgsay&dl=0

    Photographs – East Maui stream flow conditions (March 3, 2025):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/96ukxmrob9eeusd36k7vr/AB02qGEIHMfeR2P-I26zxkQ?rlkey=9rsl5gid0t5t7qktz2eeplkod&st=p2iuqx5p&dl=0

    U.S. Geological Survey water data:

    https://Dashboard.waterdata.USGS.gov

    Media Contact:

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    Email: Dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-41 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-41 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    Posted on Mar 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

    ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    News Release 2025-41

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    March 13, 2025

     HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. On March 11, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Department of Education would be firing approximately 50 percent of its workforce as part of its goal of a “total shutdown” of the department. Attorney General Lopez and the coalition today filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the targeted destruction of this critical federal agency that ensures tens of millions of students receive a quality education and critical resources.  

    “Neither a president nor his administration can abolish or render useless a department of the United States on a whim. Students in Hawaiʻi—from K-12 to the University of Hawaiʻi—rely upon the U.S. Department of Education, its programs and its public servants because they are supported by federal laws passed by Congress,” said Attorney General Lopez. “There is no higher calling in government than to fight for a better future for our children. My department will proudly fight for that future, including for federal support for low-income children and students with disabilities and for combatting discrimination in education.”

    “The U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that students—especially those with the greatest needs—have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve. Federal education dollars support essential services in our public schools, including special education and school meal programs, and provide salaries for more than 1,100 of our dedicated full-time educators and staff,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Education Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi. “Any effort to dismantle this agency threatens not only these vital programs but also the stability of our entire public education system. We appreciate the leadership of Attorney General Lopez in standing up for students, families and educators, and we remain committed to advocating for the resources necessary to best support our students.”

    “The proposed elimination of 50% of U.S. Department of Education employees raises serious concerns about the future of critical student services and programs that support educational access,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel. “While the full impact on our university system is still unknown, we anticipate significant disruptions if these reductions move forward as planned. Currently, more than 270 positions across our 10-campus system are funded through U.S. Department of Education resources. These employees and the programs they administer play a crucial role in supporting our students—particularly through initiatives such as Title III, which strengthens UH’s capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students, and Title VII, which upholds essential protections against discrimination. Any reduction in these areas would not only affect our institution but also diminish opportunities for the many communities we serve.”

    Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes and Special Assistant to the Attorney General Dave Day jointly stated: “We are all molded by the education we receive as children and young adults. The Department of the Attorney General will challenge all unlawful attempts to deprive the next generation of educational opportunities and privileges promised to them by the laws of this nation.” Hawaiʻi is represented in this litigation by Solicitor General Fernandes, Special Assistant to the Attorney General Day, and Deputy Solicitor General Ewan Rayner.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s programs serve nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools throughout the country. Its higher education programs provide services and support to more than 12 million postsecondary students annually. Students with disabilities and students from low-income families are some of the primary beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Education services and funding. U.S. Department of Education funds for special education include support for assistive technology for students with disabilities, teacher salaries and benefits, transportation to help children receive the services and programming they need, physical therapy and speech therapy services, and social workers to help manage students’ educational experience. The U.S. Department of Education also supports students in rural communities by offering programs designed to help rural school districts that often lack the personnel and resources needed to compete for competitive grants.

    As Attorney General Lopez and the coalition assert in the lawsuit, dismantling the U.S. Department of Education will have devastating effects for states like Hawaiʻi. The administration’s lay-off is so massive that the U.S. Department of Education will be incapacitated and unable to perform essential functions. As the lawsuit asserts, the administration’s actions will deprive students with special needs of critical resources and support. They will gut U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which protects students from discrimination and sexual assault. They would additionally hamstring the processing of financial aid, raising costs for college and university students who will have a harder time accessing loans, Pell Grants, and work study programs.  

    With this lawsuit, Attorney General Lopez and the coalition are seeking a court order to stop the administration’s policies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education by drastically cutting its workforce and programs. Attorney General Lopez and the coalition argue that the administration’s actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education are illegal and unconstitutional. The department is an executive agency authorized by Congress, with numerous different laws creating its various programs and funding streams. The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the Executive Branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally incapacitate or dismantle it without an act of Congress.

    This lawsuit is led by Attorney General Lopez and the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, and New York. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

    A link to the virtual press conference Attorney General Lopez held today with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and New York Attorney General Letitia James can be found here. 

    # # #

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    Toni Schwartz

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1252

    Cell: 808-379-9249

    Email: [email protected] 

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California deploys cutting-edge technologies for LA fires recovery with expanded NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory partnership

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 13, 2025

    What you need to know: California is expanding its collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to leverage cutting-edge technologies to protect public health and help Los Angeles rebuild. 

    LOS ANGELES – As part of the state’s ongoing actions to support Los Angeles County’s wildfire recovery, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the state is expanding its collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to monitor air and water using cutting-edge technologies. 

    The collaboration will provide the state with additional data on water and air quality – helping California protect communities in and around the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.

    “California and JPL are once again demonstrating the power of science, technology and partnership to address real-world challenges. While JPL is known for exploring the farthest reaches of our solar system, their scientists – many directly impacted by these fires – have turned their attention toward helping their neighbors, demonstrating that innovation and collaboration are vital for accelerating recovery.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    JPL is the largest employer of those impacted by the Eaton Fire. In the weeks following the firestorm, the Governor visited the NASA JPL facility in La Cañada Flintridge for a conversation with employees impacted by the Eaton Fire. Nearly 200 JPL employees lost their homes or were displaced due to damage to their homes.

    How it works

    By harnessing advanced data and imaging tools, California and JPL are taking proactive steps to protect public health, strengthen resilience, and accelerate recovery efforts for Altadena and the Palisades communities. This work includes:  

    Monitoring air

    • Air quality monitoring: JPL is establishing a new monitoring site in Altadena to measure the size and composition of particulate matter (PM), including lead, black carbon arsenic, and other metals, in the ambient air, along with a wide variety of gaseous air pollutants. This new site complements an existing rooftop monitoring site on the JPL campus.
    • Collaboration with CARB: JPL and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are collaborating on PM filter sample collection and analysis for metal contents.
    • Air quality sensor network: JPL is coordinating on a Caltech-led project, called PHOENIX, which is deploying a dense air quality monitoring network focused on measuring airborne dust and ash across Altadena and neighboring communities, including one on JPL’s campus. The network provides real-time observations of air quality in the region, giving community members and agencies leading clean-up efforts data that enable a continuous assessment of dust-mitigation and management efforts in the area. Data from these sensors will be shared with CARB.
       

    Monitoring water

    • Water sampling: JPL is providing satellite imaging to support ocean water quality monitoring efforts led by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. The satellite imagery helps to identify the location of runoff discharge plumes, ensuring effective monitoring.
    • X-band radar deployment: California and JPL are coordinating the deployment of X-band radar to gather data on storm structures, which can be used to protect watersheds and help monitor post-fire debris flows.
    • Aerial data collection: JPL has flown its Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3 (AVIRIS-3) over the burn scars to measure the distribution of ash in the air and on the ground. This data will guide future sampling and recovery efforts in impacted areas. 

    Track all of LA’s recovery at CA.gov/LAfires. 

    Expanding California and JPL’s ongoing partnership 

    Previous collaborations between California and JPL have produced innovative new technologies to address California’s natural resource and environmental challenges. In 2023, JPL, California, and other partners created VIRGO – Visualization of In-situ and Remotely-Sensed Groundwater Observations – an online mapping tool from NASA that enables water managers and end-users to explore groundwater changes in California.  

    The NASA facility also partnered with CAL FIRE to use soil moisture sensors to support the state’s fire management and prevention efforts. JPL helped California launch pollution-tracking satellites last year and partners with the state on drought monitoring.

    Building on existing air monitoring efforts

    The new collaboration builds upon existing efforts being carried out by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, with support from CARB, which includes deploying highly advanced mobile air monitors and community air monitoring for toxics to complement the robust regional monitoring network.

    Altogether, the district’s air monitoring stations in the Eaton and Palisades burn areas, along with other regulatory air monitors across the greater Los Angeles area are collecting vital air pollution and toxics data. Initial monitoring shows levels do not pose an immediate risk to public health. Track LA’s recovery, including the latest air quality results, at CA.gov/LAfires. 

    Recent news

    Mar 12, 2025

    News What you need to know: Californians are urged to take precautions now as severe weather sets in throughout the state. SACRAMENTO – With severe weather expected to impact much of California today through Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom and state emergency officials…

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    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Adele Burnes, of Berkeley, has been appointed Chief at the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Burnes has been Acting Chief at the Division of Apprenticeship Standards since 2024,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DDG Zhang welcomes 2025 participants in two WTO technical assistance programmes

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DDG Zhang welcomes 2025 participants in two WTO technical assistance programmes

    In his welcome remarks, DDG Zhang told participants: “You have come to the WTO at a very important time. We will shortly be commencing preparatory work for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for Yaoundé, Cameroon in March 2026. During your presence in Geneva, you will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this very important aspect of the WTO’s work.”
    DDG Zhang said that participants in both programmes will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the work of the WTO, including witnessing how trade policy is shaped in the WTO, attending meetings in areas of direct interest to their economies, and interacting closely with the WTO Secretariat.
     A total of 18 participants were selected for the French Irish Mission Programme this year. Funded by France and Ireland, this programme aims to support Geneva-based government officials from developing and least-developed WTO members to engage in WTO activities. Participants will gain valuable hands-on experience in trade policy development by working directly within their respective permanent missions in Geneva.
    Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand, France’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, said: “The experience you will gain here will be a tremendous asset, both for your own career paths and for your governments. France’s support for this programme reflects our commitment to an inclusive multilateral system.”
    Noel White, Ireland’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, underlined that: “Ireland attaches great importance to its long-standing association with and support for the French Irish Mission Programme. Ireland’s development cooperation programme, which lies at the heart of our foreign policy, recognises the importance of inclusive and sustainable international trade to promote economic development and alleviate poverty. We are working on arrangements and hope to be able to welcome all the participants to Ireland as we did last year to share the lessons we have learned as a small, open economy with global trade connections.”
    The 16 officials selected for this year’s Netherlands Talent Programme, which is funded by the Netherlands, will benefit from on-the-job training in various divisions of the WTO Secretariat. The programme offers participants the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the multilateral trading system and to contribute actively to WTO initiatives.
    Audrey Goosen, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the WTO, explained that the name of the programme was recently changed to “Netherlands Talent Programme” to reflect the high level of expertise that previous participants have brought to the WTO. She told participants: “I hope that the insights that you will gain over the next months will make trade work as an engine for sustainable economic growth and job creation in your countries.”

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP reminds public to take precautions against measles during travel

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP reminds public to take precautions against measles during travel 
    According to the latest information released by the World Health Organization, over 127 000 measles cases (including at least 38 deaths) were reported in Europe and Central Asia last year, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997. Children under 5 accounted for more than 40 per cent of the cases, as childhood measles vaccination coverage remained suboptimal in some countries. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also reported that the majority of paediatric cases have never been vaccinated against measles. In the ongoing measles outbreaks in North America, the United States and Canada have each recorded more than 200 cases so far this year, with cases mainly affecting children who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. In neighboring areas, measles outbreaks continued to occur from time to time in the past year in Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines.
        
    Hong Kong has recorded one imported measles case 
    The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui, reiterated that vaccination is the most safe and effective preventive measure against measles. Healthy people in general can enjoy long-term, even lifelong protection after receiving measles vaccination as recommended. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine can confer protection of up to 97 per cent.
     
         “The measles situation outside Hong Kong reflects the risk of outbreak due to inadequate vaccination coverage. Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level through the immunisation services provided by the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres and the School Immunisation Teams. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. On the whole, the risk of a large-scale outbreak in Hong Kong is low. However, as a city with a high volume of international travel, Hong Kong still faces the potential risk of measles importation. Locally, a small number of people who have not completed a measles vaccination (such as non-local born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under 1 year old who have not yet received the first dose of measles vaccine,” he said.
     
    Dr Tsui added that people born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. He urged people born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, to consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination.
     
    The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to the onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. When such symptoms appear, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old. Those who suspect they are infected should consult their doctors as soon as possible and inform healthcare workers of their history of exposure to measles.
     
    For more information on measles, members of the public may visit the CHP’s thematic     webpageIssued at HKT 18:33

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic arrangements for Ching Ming Festival

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts during Ching Ming Festival period to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety.

    Hong Kong Island
    —————– Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
    – Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
    – Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
    – The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and the crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to services at the Crematorium; and
    – The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery.- Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
    – Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
    – The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and the crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to services at the crematorium;
    – The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
    – Wan Tsui Lane, except for vehicles heading to Hing Wah Plaza.- Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to the crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound during the above road closures and the operation hours of Citybus route 388.- Lin Shing Road;
    – Cape Collinson Road; and
    – Shek O Road between Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Road.——– Vehicles are prohibited to pick up or drop off passengers along Yu Chau West Street near Wing Ming Street (outside “83 Wing Hong Street”); and
    – Stopping or parking will be prohibited on Ching Cheung Road daily from 7am to 7pm. 
         Members of the public should access Saint Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery via the subway across Ching Cheung Road from the end of the unnamed road between Wing Ming Street and the cemetery. No parking facilities in the cemetery will be open for public use.—————- Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
    – Wo Ka Lau Road; and
    – All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.- Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.- The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route No. NR112. Depending on the prevailing situation, vehicles with elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for boarding shuttle buses that are heading for Wo Hop Shek Cemetery;
    – Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane; and
    – Parking spaces at Ming Yin Road between Wo Hop Shek Cemetery Office and Kiu Tau Road.- Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.- The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.- San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chung Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.- Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Chung Path and San Fuk Road;
    – Tsing Lun Road between Tsun Wen Road and the northern vehicle entrance of Tuen Mun Hospital; and
    – Southbound Tsun Wen Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road.- Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles cannot travel via Kwai Hei Street for Wing Kei Road; and
    – Wing Hau Street will be closed.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fraudulent mobile application related to Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fraudulent mobile application related to Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited 
    The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
     
    Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the App concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
    Issued at HKT 16:50

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Registered minor works contractor fined and prohibited by disciplinary board from certifying or carrying out minor works for six months

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Registered minor works contractor fined and prohibited by disciplinary board from certifying or carrying out minor works for six months

       The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board (the Board) has completed a disciplinary inquiry under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that a registered minor works contractor (RMWC) should be disciplined under sections 13(2)(b), 13(2)(i) and 13(2)(j) of the BO for having carried out and certified building works as if it were minor works carried out under the simplified requirements of the Minor Works Control System (MWCS), and having been negligent or misconducted itself in the building works.

    The Board ordered the RMWC to be prohibited from certifying or carrying out any minor works under the simplified requirements of the MWCS for six months with effect from the date of the Gazette and be fined $20,000. Also, the RMWC was ordered to pay $50,100 in total, being the costs of the Board and the Buildings Department (BD) for conducting the inquiry.

    The Board’s written decision and order issued on February 26 was published in the Gazette today (March 14). Details are available at the following link: www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20252911/egn202529111497.pdf.

    The RMWC submitted a certificate to the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Housing in March 2022, notifying the commencement of minor works, i.e. alteration of external non-load bearing reinforced concrete walls, at a shopping centre at Tsui Lam Road, Tseung Kwan O. The RMWC subsequently submitted a completion certificate to the ICU certifying the completion of the alteration works. After an investigation by the ICU, it was revealed that the alteration works involved external walls, including external load bearing reinforced concrete walls, which were over 3.5 metres high, and do not comply with the Building (Minor Works) Regulation. Such works do not belong to any minor works items and should only be carried out after obtaining prior approval and consent from the ICU. All of the above showed that the RMWC had carried out and certified such works as if it were minor works commenced under the simplified requirements of the MWCS, and that the RMWC had been negligent or had misconducted itself in the building works.

    A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractor who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out building works will be subject to enforcement action including criminal prosecution and disciplinary action under the BO.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Child Boss in ‘Severance’ Reveals a Devastating Truth About Work and Child-Rearing in the 21st Century

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In the second season of “Severance,” there’s an unexpected character: a child supervisor named Miss Huang, played by actress Sarah Bock, who matter-of-factly explains she’s a child “because of when I was born.”

    Miss Huang’s deadpan response is more than just a clever quip. Like so much in the Apple TV+ series, which has broken viewership records for the streaming service, I think it reveals a devastating truth about the role of work in the 21st century.

    As a scholar of childhood studies, I also see historical echoes: What constitutes a “child” – and whether one gets to claim childhood at all – has always depended on when and where a person is born.

    An age of innocence?

    Americans are deeply invested in the idea of childhood as a time of innocence, with kids protected by doting adults from the harsh realities of work and making ends meet.

    However, French historian Philippe Ariès famously argued that childhood, as many understand it today, simply did not exist in the past.

    Using medieval art as one resource, Ariès pointed out that children were often portrayed as miniature adults, without special attributes, such as plump features or silly behaviors, that might mark them as fundamentally different from their older counterparts.

    Looking at baptism records, Ariès also discovered that many parents gave siblings the same name, and he explained this phenomenon by suggesting that devastatingly high child mortality rates prevented parents from investing the sort of love and affection in their children that’s now considered a core component of parenthood.

    While historians have debated many of Ariès’ specific claims, his central insight remains powerful: Our modern understanding of childhood as a distinct life stage characterized by play, protection and freedom from adult responsibilities is a relatively recent historical development. Ariès argued that children didn’t emerge as a focus of unconditional love until the 17th century.

    Kids at work

    The belief that a child deserves a life free from the stress of the workplace came along still later.

    After all, if Miss Huang had been born in the 19th century, few people would question her presence in the workplace. The Industrial Revolution yielded accounts of children working 16-hour days and accorded no special protection because of their tender age and emotional vulnerability. Well into the 20th century, children younger than Miss Huang routinely worked in factories, mines and other dangerous environments.

    To today’s viewers of “Severance,” the presence of a child supervisor in the sterile, oppressive workplace of the show’s fictional Lumon Industries feels jarring precisely because it violates the deeply held belief that children are occupants of a separate sphere, their innocence shielding them from the dog-eat-dog environs of competitive workplaces.

    Childhood under threat

    As a child worker, Miss Huang might seem like an uncanny ghost of a bygone era of childhood. But I think she’s closer to a prophet: Her role as child-boss warns viewers about what a work-obsessed future holds.

    Today, the ideal childhood – access to play, care and a meaningful education – is increasingly under threat.

    As politicians and policymakers insist that children are the future, many of them refuse to support the intensive caregiving required to transform newborns into functioning adults. As philosopher Nancy Fraser has argued, capitalism relies on someone doing that work, while assigning it little to no monetized value.

    Child-rearing in the 21st century exists within a troubling paradox: Mothers provide unpaid child care for their own children, while those who professionally care for others’ children – predominantly women of color and immigrants – receive meager compensation for this essential work.

    In other words, economic elites and the politicians they support say they want to cultivate future workers. But they don’t want to fund the messy, inefficient, time-consuming process that raising modern children requires.

    The show’s name comes from a “severance” procedure that workers undergo to separate their work memories from their personal ones. It offers a darkly comic version of work-life balance, with Lumon office workers able to completely disconnect their work selves from their personalities off the clock. Each is distinct: A character’s “innie” is the person they are at the job, and their “outtie” is who they are at home.

    I see this as an apt metaphor for how market capitalism seeks to separate the slow, patient work required to raise children and care for other loved ones from the cold-eyed pursuit of economic efficiency. Parents are expected to work as if they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work.

    The result is a system that makes traditional notions of childhood – with its unwieldy dependencies, its inefficient play and its demands for attention and care – increasingly untenable.

    Capitalism’s ideal child

    Plummeting global fertility rates around the world speak to this crisis in child care, with the U.S., Europe, South Korea and China falling well below the birth rate required to replace the existing population.

    Even as Elon Musk frets about women choosing not to have children, he seems eager to restrict any government aid that would provide the time or resources that raising children requires.

    Accessible health care, affordable, healthy food and stable housing are out of the reach of many. The current administration’s quest for what it calls “government efficiency” is poised to shred safety net programs that help millions of low-income children.

    In the midst of this dilemma, Miss Huang offers a surreal solution to the problems children pose in 2025.

    She is, in many ways, capitalism’s ideal child. Already a productive worker as a tween, she requires no parent’s time, no teacher’s patience and no community’s resources. Like other workers and executives at Lumon, she seems to have shed the inefficient entanglements of family, love and play.

    In this light, Miss Huang’s clever insistence that she is a child “because of when I was born” is darkly prophetic. In a world where every moment must be productive, where caregiving is systematically devalued and where human relationships are subordinated to market logic, Miss Huang represents a future where childhood survives only as a date on a birth certificate. All the other attributes are economically impractical.

    Viewers don’t yet know if she’s severed. But at least from the perspective of the other workers in the show, Miss Huang works ceaselessly and, in doing so, proves that she is no child at all.

    Or rather, she is the only kind of child that America’s economic system allows to thrive.

    Originally published in The Conversation.

    MIL OSI USA News –